Detection and quantification of lateral, illicit connections and infiltration in sewers with Infra-Red camera

Conclusions after a wide experimental plan

Journal Article (2017)
Author(s)

M.J. Lepot (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

Konstantinos Makris (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering)

François H L R Clemens (TU Delft - Sanitary Engineering, Deltares)

Research Group
Sanitary Engineering
Copyright
© 2017 M.J. Lepot, K. Makris, F.H.L.R. Clemens
DOI related publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.06.030
More Info
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Publication Year
2017
Language
English
Copyright
© 2017 M.J. Lepot, K. Makris, F.H.L.R. Clemens
Research Group
Sanitary Engineering
Volume number
122
Pages (from-to)
678-691
Reuse Rights

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Abstract

Separate sewer systems are sensitive to illegal or mis-connections. Several techniques (including the Distributed Temperature Sensor) are now available to identify and locate those connections. Based on thermal fingerprints, DTS allows the localization of each lateral connection along a reach. The use of Infra-Red camera has been investigated with 748 laboratory experiments (artificial connections along a flume). The tested connections vary in diameters (from 75 to 200 mm), lengths of intrusion (from 0 to 200 m), shapes (circular or linear i.e. cracks), depths, discharge rates between the lateral connection and the main flume, and temperatures. IR frame analysis (for detection) and 2D temperature mapping (at the free water surface, for quantification) demonstrate that: i) the detection limit is very low (ratio between lateral and main discharges: 0.025) and ii) the quantification of the lateral discharge is impossible. Application of an IR camera seems to be a promising technique to detect lateral connections.